Guide to Flowers for Your Chinese Bridal Bouquet in Hong Kong Weddings

In Chinese weddings, flowers are more than just decoration—they carry deep meanings and auspicious symbolism. When choosing your bridal bouquet for the Chinese ceremony, consider flowers that represent love, happiness, prosperity, and good fortune.

1. Peonies (牡丹, mǔdān)

Symbolism: Wealth, honor, romance, and a happy marriage.
Why Choose: Often called the “king of flowers” in Chinese culture, peonies are highly auspicious and symbolize feminine beauty and marital bliss.
Tips: Soft pink or red peonies make an elegant statement for your bouquet and are traditional favorites for Chinese weddings.

2. Roses (玫瑰, méiguī)

Symbolism: Love, romance, and passion.
Why Choose: Roses are universally associated with love. In Chinese culture, red roses are particularly lucky and symbolize deep love and happiness.
Tips: For the Chinese section of your wedding, choose red or pink roses. White roses can be included in small quantities, but avoid a fully white bouquet as pure white can symbolize mourning in Chinese culture.

3. Orchids (兰花, lánhuā)

Symbolism: Elegance, fertility, and refinement.
Why Choose: Orchids are luxurious and graceful, representing refinement, abundance, and everlasting love—perfect for a wedding bouquet.
Tips: Phalaenopsis or cymbidium orchids in pink, white, or purple can add an exotic and delicate touch.

4. Lilies (百合, bǎihé)

Symbolism: 100 years of love, good luck, and prosperity.
Why Choose: Lilies are traditional Chinese wedding flowers because “百合” (bǎihé) sounds like “forever together” in Mandarin.
Tips: Opt for white or pink lilies to create a fresh, elegant look. Avoid yellow lilies, as yellow may symbolize jealousy.

5. Camellias (山茶花, shāncháhuā)

Symbolism: Love, admiration, and devotion.
Why Choose: Camellias represent a deep and eternal love, making them ideal for a bride who wants subtle sophistication.
Tips: Red camellias are highly auspicious, while white can be used as a delicate accent.

6. Hydrangeas (绣球花, xiùqiúhuā)

Symbolism: Gratitude and heartfelt emotions.
Why Choose: Hydrangeas add volume and softness to your bouquet and symbolize appreciation and heartfelt emotions toward your partner and family.
Tips: Light pink, blue, or purple hydrangeas complement other flowers without overpowering them.

7. Chrysanthemums (菊花, júhuā)

Symbolism: Longevity and joy.
Why Choose: While chrysanthemums are often associated with funerals in some regions of China, red and yellow chrysanthemums symbolize happiness, success, and celebration when used in weddings.
Tips: Use them sparingly as accents to avoid a somber impression.

Bouquet Color Scheme Recommendations

Traditional Chinese: Red and gold accents—red for luck and love, gold for wealth and prosperity.
Romantic & Soft: Pink, cream, and peach—gentle, feminine, and harmonious.
Modern & Elegant: White with touches of red or pink—clean, minimalistic, yet auspicious.

Additional Tips

Combine symbolism with aesthetics: Mixing peonies, roses, and lilies is classic. Orchids or hydrangeas can add texture.
Consider local availability: Hong Kong florists have access to both imported and seasonal flowers, so discuss your choices early.
Bouquet style: Round bouquets are traditional and compact, while cascading styles add modern elegance.
Avoid unlucky colors or flowers: Black, grey, or purely white flowers may bring unintended associations.